ISPs Threaten Internet Blackout Over Overhead Cable Issue

Bangladesh could be isolated from the world if the internet service providers and cable operators enforce their pre-announced shutdown from Sunday by shutting down internet data connectivity and television cable at all levels, including homes, offices and banks.

Economic activities and business operations are running the risk of coming to a complete halt if the internet service providers and cable operators enforce their strike.
A tensed situation is prevailing among the people of all walks of life over the issue of internet and cable TV shutdown.

The problem of hanging wires in the capital is a long-standing one although attempts have been made to address this issue at various times.

The authorities concerned and non-government organisations, regulatory commissions and operators have come under a lot of pressure in the name of removing the overhead cables.

Amid the tensed situation, Post and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar requested the Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) for postponing the strike and sit for a meeting to find out a reasonable solution.

Recently, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) launched a campaign to remove the illegal hanging overhead cables across the capital.

Despite various objections and difficulties, the removal of overhead cables campaign by DSCC is still underway for the last two and half months without arranging any alternatives, alleged the stakeholders.
Later, ISPAB and Cable operators association of Bangladesh (COAB) have announced a programme to shut down internet connectivity and TV cable at all levels including homes, offices and banks across the country, from 10:00am to 1:00pm every day from October 18, if their five-point demand is not met by October 17.

The two organisations made the announcement at a joint press conference at the National Press Club on October 12.

Their demands include ensuring that no hanging cable is removed until the last mile (the distance from the NTTN supply point to the user) cable is permanently fixed.

A committee comprising representatives from ISPAB, COAB, BTRC, NTTN and City Corporation will have to arrange an on-the-spot investigation to ascertain whether the last mile has just been set up, according to their demands.  

They also demanded that the price of internet and cable TV services should be fixed by the ministry concerned at all levels including homes, offices and banks.  

The government needs to fix the price of NTTN in order to provide low-cost internet and cable TV services at the consumer level.

DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam blamed the Nationwide Telecommunication Transmission Network (NTTN) operators for this.

Talking to the Daily Sun, DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam said, “I had meetings with NTTN operators and other stakeholders seven times on overhead cable removal. But the problem of overhead cable remains the same due to internal difference among NTTN operators, COAB, ISPs, BRTC and others.”

“I don’t want to see the overhead cable anymore. Someone has to take the responsibility. That’s why DNCC is getting into this. DNCC has transferred 2.5 Km lines through underground ducting. It is now working to relocate the cables from Pakistan High Commission to Gulshan Avenue.”  

“I have launched the system if anyone like they can use our underground system paying the charge. But I will not tolerate overhead cable anyway,” he said.

Arif Islam, Managing Director & CEO of NTTN Operator Summit Communications Ltd, said, “Since 2009, we and another company, Fiber @ Home, have expanded our NTTN network across the country. We have been abiding by the conditions, given to us by the BTRC with the issuance of our license.”

“The City Corporation never instructed us to expand fiber in the alleys of Dhaka. Yet, we have tried in many places. When we take fiber to a building, the building owner asks for rent. So what do we do? Now if we are given this responsibility with a specific policy, then we will do it?”

Abbas Farooq, head of public relations and regulatory affairs of NTTN Operator Fiber @ Home, said, “The NTTN operators alone have the legal authority to expand the fiber optic network across the country. Those who do it outside of this are doing this against the rules.”

“We (local companies) have invested crores of taka in the sector. Dish cable operators, ISPs (Internet Service Providers) or anyone else does not want to come to our network. Instead of giving us money, they prefer to hang cables on poles,” he said.

He said again there are many illegal ISPs, there are illegal VoIP traders. If they come under this network, they will be caught by BTRC. So they don’t come to NTTN.